Bowling-ball shock-absorber.



M. KERN BOWLING BALL SHOCK ABSORBER. APPLIOATION FILED we. 1?, 190a.

Patented June 8, 1909.

2 SHEETS-$3321 l.

Inventor! I I ww aw 2 SHEETS-SHEETJ.

M. KERN. BOWLING BALL snoox ABSORBER. APPLIOATION TILED AUG. 17, 1908. v

. Patented June 8, 1909. a; F l

. n u f l... v e 9 8 9 i 9 H W\ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN KERN, or ST. LOUIS, ivns'soum, Assreuoa or ONE-HALF TO JOSEPH H.JOAQUIN,

or ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BOWLING-BALL SHOCK-ABSORBER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1909.

Application filed August 17, 1908. Serial No. 448,859.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN KERN,a citizen of the United States, andresident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Bowling-Ball Shock-Absorbers, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bowling ball shock absorbersand consists in the novel arrangement, construction and combination ofparts as will be fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of my invention is to provide the return track of abowling-alley with a shock absorbing mechanism with which the bowlingball comes in contact and its speed reduced so that the ball can enterthe repository at a low rate of speed and prevent the balls fromcontacting with the force that is common where the speed of the ball isnot decreased.

A further object of my invention is to construct a mechanism with whicheach of the balls comes in contact when returned by the pin boys, thespeed of each ball being retarded, the ball when contacting with thecushion of the shock absorber momentarily stopping the same and thenpermitting the ball to advance into the repository at a very low rate ofspeed.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention shown in its relativeposition with the return rail of a bowling-alley. Fig. 2 is a top planview of my invention. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view with parts brokenaway taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view of myinvention. Fig. 5 is a detail top plan view of a modified form of myinvention. Fig. 6 is a side view of the same.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 7 indicates the return track; 8 theinclined elevation on which the balls are placed by the pin boys, saidelevation being of the common type and of sufficient height to producesufficient speed to the ball so that the same will travel to therepository.

9 indicates the inclined portion of the track which is in advance of therepository 10.

Upon the floor and immediately in front of the repository, I place astandard or column 11 mounted on a base 12 by which the said standard orcolumn is rigidly and firmly fastened. Upon the standard or column isplaced a detachable cap 13 and around said column is provided a band 14on which is supported a buffer 15, the said bufl'er being suflicientlypadded and so arranged as to contact with the balls 16, and said band istightly held upon the column by means of the bolt 17 or other fasteningdevice extending through the projecting ears 18 of the band. By thisconstruction, the buffer can be adjusted verticall as Well ashorizontally upon the column so t at the same may be properly set toaccommodate the size of balls used on the bowling-alley.

The track portion 19 located between the repository and the highest endof the inclined portion 9 is suitably curved as shown in Fig. 2; theupper edge of each rail forming the track being curved or beveled. toaccommodate the outer contour of the balls, and on the outer surface ofthe outer curved rail is located a guard 20 which projects upwardly ashort distance beyond the upper surface of the track so as to preventthe balls from running over the edge of the track while the same ismaking the curve and onaccount of the sudden contacting with the bufferwhich retards the'speed of the ball momentarily stopping the same andthen permitting the ball to pass on in the direction indicated by thearrow (Fig. 2), allowing it to enter into the repository at a low rateof speed.

On the column 11 is provided a bracket 21 which supports the curvedportion of the track (see Fig. 3), and on the column and secured to thebottom surface of oneof the rails is a brace bar 22 which assists inbracing the column, preventing the same from becoming loosened by thecontinuous contacting of the balls with the buffer.

The essential feature of my invention is the application of a bufierlocated in alinement with the passage of the bowling ball making contactwith the same at a given point, reducing the speed and permitting theballs. to enter into the repository at a low rate of speed so as not toinjure the balls by denting the same when each ball contacts.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I show a modified form. In this instance, I provideapost 23 laced in direct alinement with the track. 11 the post is placeda cushion 24 with which the all comes in contact and after the speed hasbeen reduced the ball is permitted to pass into the repository over aright angled projection indicated by the numeral 25 and on the outercurved portion of the right angular projection, a guard 26 is placedwhich bufier whereby the speed of the ball is suifiprevents the ballfrom running over the track while it is making the curve to enter therepository. When this form is used, I provide on the top of the post aprojecting arm 27, its under surface being slightly curved and by meansof this arm the ball is prevented from jumping off of the track whencontacting with the cushion and in addition when the ball contacts withthe cushion at the same time with the projection 27 it reverses therevolution of the ball which causes the same to momentarily stop in itstravel and then passes on into the repository at a very low rate ofspeed.

Having fully described my invention what I claim is:

1. A bowling ball shock absorber comprising a rigid buifer; a support onwhich the buffer is mounted; a ball track in proper alinement with andextending around the ciently reduced before entering into therepository, substantially as specified.

2. A device of the class described comprising a ball return track aportion thereof being curved; a shock absorbing mechanism in alinementwith the straight portion of the track located in relative position withthe track so that the bowling ball may contact with the shock absorberand retard the speed yet permitting the ball to pass on at a low rate ofspeed around the shock absorbing mechanism, substantially as described.

3'. A device of the class described comprising a ball return track arepository; a shock absorbing mechanism located intermediate of thetrack and repository and independent I of the track; means forpermitting the ball to pass into the repository from the track aroundthe shock absorbing mechanism at a low rate of speed after the ball hascontacted with the shock absorber and a guard for preventing the ballfrom leaving the track while on its travel after contacting with theshock absorber, substantially as specified.

4. A device of the class described comprising a ball return track; arepository; an upwardly inclined section located. in advance of therepository; a standard located intermediate of the repository and theinclined seetion; a buffer ad justably mounted on the standard withwhich the ball is brought in contact and its speed retarded momentarilystopping the same and then permitting the ball to pass around thebuil'er and into the repository at a very low rate of speed,substantially as specified.

5. A bowling ball shock absorber comprising a return track; a bufier, aportion of said track bent around the builer, said buil'er being locatedin a position with the track to permit the ball to contact therewith forretarding the speed of the ball and permitting the same to pass to oneside of the buil'er at a reduced rate of speed, substantially as speei-In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inpresence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN KERN.

Witnesses ALFRED A. Erons, WALTER C. STEIN.

